How To Travel The World (And Get Paid For It)

Yes, you can travel and get paid for it. But you have to be willing to put in the work.

Travelling around the world used to be a whimsical idea that could only be achieved by the ultra-rich. But now with budget airlines, the internet, and social media, it's easier than ever to travel the world. Some people even get paid to travel abroad.

But how do you do that?

Here are just some ways to get paid to travel abroad.

1. Work as a flight attendant

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Being a flight attendant comes with plenty of travel perks — not just for yourself, but also for your family.

But working as a flight attendant is more than just serving drinks in the sky. You'll have to deal with unruly passengers, make sure that everyone is happy, and of course, keep everyone safe. And though the pay is pretty good, the hours are long and gruelling.

2. Teach English

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If you're a native English speaker, teaching English is one good way to get a job abroad. You'll probably need a bachelor degree, as well as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, though that isn't required.

Do note that many countries sadly tend to favour white English teachers. Most English teachers are Americans and Europeans, so you might have to work extra hard to convince recruiters (or even your students) that you're a competent English teacher.

3. Become a travel blogger/influencer

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Turning yourself into a brand and becoming an influencer is a great way to get paid to travel abroad — if you can build a big enough following, that is.

Many travel bloggers start out by spending their savings just to help their blog take off. But once you build a following, you could earn thousands of dollars for a single post, as well as get free trips and hotel stays.

4. Trade speciality goods

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Ever thought about getting into the import-export business? If you have some capital to spare, it can be a pretty lucrative opportunity.

You could try trading speciality goods that can't be found back home. Then, once you figure out how to deal with customs, you can either sell them to stores or put them up for sale yourself on platforms like Shopee or Amazon.

5. Work remotely

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The beauty of the internet is that you can work virtually anywhere. Whether you're a writer, graphic designer, or programmer, as long as you can do your work online, you can do your work anywhere you want.

If you are fortunate enough to find a job that lets you work remotely full-time, then good on you. But if not, you could pick up a side hustle instead. Freelancing with sites like Fiverr and Upwork is a great way to earn money — just make sure you have a solid portfolio so it's easier for you to get jobs.

6. Give tours

Consider yourself an extrovert who has no problem speaking in front of a crowd? Maybe being a tour guide is a great way for you to get paid to travel abroad.

Once you've familiarised yourself with a place, you could start giving tours. You could give tours at one place — say, the Angkor Wat or the Eiffel Tower. You could also lead groups around several destinations.

It might be a little difficult for you to get a gig from a touring company if you're not in it for the long-term, but you can give tours for free and work your charm to get tips.